Nigerian Senate has explained why Balarabe Abbas, a ministerial nominee was confirmed despite slumping during his screening in the red chamber on Wednesday.
Gatekeepers News reports that President Bola Tinubu had nominated Abbas – Kaduna State and two others (Jamila Ibrahim – Kwara State; and Ayodele Olawande – Ondo State)
Abbas, who stepped to the podium after Ibrahim was screened, fainted shortly after introducing himself to the Senate.
He had just finished sharing his experiences and track record with the senators when the incident occurred about 15 minutes into his screening session.
The ministerial nominee collapsed while a Kaduna South Senator, Sunday Katung was on his feet, making submissions in support of Abbas’s nomination
There was total confusion in the chamber when doctors rushed in with their first aid equipment, to revive him.
After regaining his strength and composure, Abbas pleaded with the Senate to allow him to continue with the session but he was told to go and attend to his health.
He was, thereafter, taken to the National Assembly clinic.
The Senate resumed session after about a 45-minute break to screen the third nominee, Olawande.
Subsequently, the three nominees were confirmed by the Senate.
In defence of Abbas’ confirmation, the spokesperson for the Senate, Yemi Adaramodu, explained that the Senate went on to confirm him because he had passed all the necessary checks.
Adaramodu said, “The nominee has been stabilised and he is fine now. Due to fatigue, he went down during his screening.
“The nominee wanted to continue but the Senate told him to go and seek further medical attention and rest.
“We told him we had his resumé, which is very rich, so we didn’t see the need to belabour him anymore.
“The nominees wanted to continue with the screening but the Senate insisted that he shouldn’t. We told him that truly he wanted to serve Nigeria but he can’t serve Nigerian in death. He needs to be alive to serve.
“We have seen his resumé, we have heard from him and all necessary security checks have been confirmed.”
Adaramodu further noted that the Senate was also impressed by the performance of the two youthful nominees.
